SR0913

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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois State Senate are 
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pleased to recognize significant milestones celebrated by the 
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citizens of this State and are especially pleased to recognize 
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a milestone event celebrated by a member of the Illinois 
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Senate; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has devoted his life to 
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his community, having served on the Illinois Democratic State 
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Central Committee from 1994-1998, representing the 4th 
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Congressional District, as the Unit Director of Barreto Boys 
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and Girls Club, as the Executive Director of Association House, 
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and as State Senator since 1987; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle, the first Latino elected 
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to the Illinois Senate, was also the first Latino to serve as 
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Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate, where he has 
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been an outspoken advocate for Latino representation in all 
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levels and branches of government; his leadership in 
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redistricting cases in 1981, 1991, and 2001 led to the creation 
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of Latino majority districts on the city, county, and State 
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levels; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was the first to champion 
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the free school breakfast and lunch programs in Illinois 
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schools; he has also been a leading advocate of providing a 
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better education for the children of Illinois, especially 
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advocating for more early childhood education teachers; he has 
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also been a proponent of providing comprehensive health 
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coverage for every child in Illinois and increasing funding for 
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Advanced Placement courses in Illinois high schools; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle is the founder of the 
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Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees (IAHSE); he 
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also co-founded numerous other Latino organizations, including 
 


 






SR0913
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the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, of which he is a 
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co-chair; the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher 
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Education (ILACHE); the Alliance of Latinos and Jews; and the 
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Illinois Hispanic Democratic Council (IHDC); he also developed 
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the annual Department of Children and Family Services Hispanic 
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Families Conference; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was born in Puerto Rico 
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and grew up in the West Town and Humboldt Park areas; he 
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graduated from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente High 
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School) in 1969 and went on to Northeastern Illinois 
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University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary 
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Education and his Master's degree in Counseling; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle and his wife, Lupe, have 
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four children; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has ably served the 
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people of the 2nd Senate District, including West Town, 
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Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Belmont/Cragin; his 
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district also included portions of Portage Park, Dunning, 
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Montclare, and Austin for the past 19 years; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was appointed to serve as 
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the City Clerk of the City of Chicago, the first Latino to 
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serve in that position; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that  we congratulate State 
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Senator Miguel del Valle on his 19-year career in the Illinois 
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Senate and wish him the very best of luck in his new endeavor 
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as Chicago City Clerk; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a fitting copy of this resolution be 
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presented to him as a lasting expression of the respect and 
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admiration he has earned from the Illinois Senate.